Maurice Jones-Drew frustrated with teams' regression following Denver

Hays Carlyon

Saturday

Oct 26, 2013 at 12:03 AM

BAGSHOT, ENGLAND - The Jaguars have made such little progress this season that taking a step back didn't go over well with running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

The three-time Pro Bowler chose not to speak to reporters following last Sunday's 24-6 loss to San Diego at EverBank Field. Jones-Drew carried nine times, as the Jaguars defense couldn't get the Chargers offense off the field. The carries were the lowest total in four years in which Jones-Drew played the entire game.

When Jones-Drew met with reporters this week at Pennyhill Park, he said his frustrations didn't stem from a lack of offensive touches. He thought the team regressed from a spirited effort in a 35-19 loss at Denver the week before.

"Nine carries wasn't really the big deal," Jones-Drew said. "The most frustrating part is taking that big step in Denver and then coming back and doing what we did. We're kind of on that roller coaster and we don't want to be a part of that. That was the main reason I was upset. We're working on the right path, so to take that step back was very frustrating."

Getting the roller coaster to rocket upwards again might prove difficult this week. The Jaguars (0-7) face a 5-2 San Francisco team that has won four consecutive games on Sunday at London's Wembley Stadium.

The key to an upset could be Jones-Drew. Through the team's first four games, Jones-Drew carried 57 times for 138 yards, a miserable 2.4-yard average per carry. In the last three games, he's run 46 times for 178 yards, a 3.8-yard average.

"Maurice is an outstanding running back, obviously," Jaguars right guard Uche Nwaneri said. "He's been finding a good rhythm the last few weeks and feeding him the ball is something that is always going to be important for us."

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley thought the way Jones-Drew handled his emotions last Sunday was important to his and the team's growth.

"He wants to be a part of this and see it all come together," Bradley said. "There's some frustration at times throughout the team, but that's OK. That shows me they care and I think he understands himself well enough, he's trying to deal with it."

Bradley was impressed with the maturity Jones-Drew showed in not allowing his frustrations to escalate in a negative fashion.

"Maybe in the past if there was difficulties maybe he lashed out," Bradley said. "I can't say that. Maybe he said some things he regretted saying, but now when he gets frustrated he goes in the weight room and lifts or he tries to handle it other ways. To me, that's a classic sign of him knowing his weakness and saying, 'How am I going to deal with this and keep it going in the right direction?' So, I think that's a really cool demonstration. I give him a lot of credit for it."

There could be chances for Jones-Drew to show his leadership on the field on Sunday. San Francisco ranks eighth in the NFL in total defense, but is better against the pass than the run. The 49ers rank 18th in run defense, allowing 106.7 yards a game.

Opposing teams don't break off large chunks in the run game. San Francisco has allowed two runs of 20-or-more yards this season, fourth-fewest in the league. However, the 49ers allow 4.0 yards a carry, meaning the chance for the Jaguars to play ball control with the run is there if they can establish Jones-Drew and stay patient. That means Jones-Drew will have to be ready to take a pounding against a physical San Francisco defense.

Jones-Drew has shown resiliency this season, battling through a sprained ankle suffered in the second game of the season without missing a start.

"It's not going to be fully healthy, because I keep playing on it," Jones-Drew said. "But, I'm going to go out to battle with my guys every week and that's just my mentality."

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